More than 800 junior lifeguards from across California are expected to compete when the 46th Annual California Surf Lifesaving Championships get underway at Will Rogers State Beach.
The two-day competition, billed as the largest annual ocean lifeguard event on the West Coast, features junior lifeguards ages 9 to 17 on Friday and more than 250 professional ocean lifeguards on Saturday. Events begin at 8 a.m. both days at the south end of Will Rogers State Beach near Tower 15.
Competitors will take part in events designed to test the speed, endurance and rescue skills used by ocean lifeguards.
Lifeguards from nearly 30 agencies are expected to compete for California championship honors. Participants also will be vying for spots on the California Lifeguard Team, which will travel to Australia in January to compete against Life Saving Victoria in the 28th Wieland Shield Competition, organizers said.
The regional championships also serve as a qualifier ahead of the United States Lifesaving Association National Lifeguard Championships, scheduled for Aug. 4-7 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The event is hosted by the Los Angeles County Surf Lifesaving Association.